Y-GIVE (Youth- Giving, Investing, Volunteering, and Engaging) is Hancock County Community Foundation’s board of youth ambassadors for philanthropy. The mission of Y-GIVE is to provide opportunities for students to grow in their appreciation of Hancock County and to strengthen the desire to enhance the community’s future through giving and service. The board is comprised of 16 members- four students from each Hancock County public high school who meet monthly at HCCF or at service project sites. Students begin on the board their freshman year and continue to serve through graduation. In addition to multiple service projects each year, these students assist with outreach for Celebrate Hancock County, apply for a mini-grant to award to a particular project of a Hancock County nonprofit organization, and evaluate the applications for the finalists of the Martha Beckenholdt Youth Philanthropy Award, including facilitating the interviews. Each high school provides an advisor and transportation for their students to participate.
2021-22 projects for the first semester have included:
- Writing encouraging notes to residents of The Traditions at Brookside in Mt. Comfort.
- Leading activities for a school day and providing a book for each student at Greenfield Head Start. While at Head Start, Y-GIVE also provided a fall bingo game and coloring sheets and new crayons for the students, and a catered lunch for the two teachers. After these activities, they were able to grant the classroom $850 which was used to purchase a new literacy writing center for the students.
- Y-GIVE was also able to add some holiday cheer to the Hancock County Senior Services building by decorating doors for Christmas.
2021-22 Y-GIVE Board
Eastern Hancock High School – Advisor Brian Bowen
Board: Griffin Lawrence, Kaitlyn Lowes, Edric Miller, Katie Survant
Greenfield-Central High School – Advisor Brent Oliver
Board: Haley Arthur, Maddi Bowman, Brayden Herrell, Aaron Lee
Mt. Vernon High School – Advisor Nicole Johnson
Board: Daylon King, Alaina Nugent, Misha Patel, Luke Shelton
New Palestine High School – Advisor Mitch Burk
Board: Anna Ackerman, Moses Haynes, Ethan Hobbs, Vivian Miller
Y-GIVE students presented a check to Greenfield Head Start that was used to purchase food, games, crayons, and coloring sheets. The big and little students (and teachers) had a fun day!
Y-GIVE students wrote thoughtful and encouraging notes to residents of Traditions at Brookside in McCordsville. Above is a sample of the notes.
The doors of the Hancock Co. Senior Services had a bit of extra cheer thanks to the talents of the Y-GIVE students.
